The Lakes and Botanical Gardens of the North by Summer Rayne

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP).

Today you will step into one of Milan's hidden botanical treasures during a guided visit of the historic Brera Botanical Garden. After the visit, enjoy lunch in Milan before traveling to Lake Maggiore. Please note: Photography and video recording while at Brera Botanical Garden, for commercial, educational or research purposes, require prior authorization from the Garden. The use of tripods is subject to specific approval.

• Brera Botanical Garden Visit

  Discover the peaceful oasis of the Brera Botanical Garden, a historic green space in the heart of Milan. Originally established in the 18th century, the garden is home to a diverse collection of plants, medicinal herbs, and centuries-old trees. Stroll along its shaded pathways and explore this tranquil retreat, which combines scientific heritage with natural beauty in a unique urban setting. Please note: Photography and video recording while at Brera Botanical Garden, for commercial, educational or research purposes, require prior authorization from the Garden. The use of tripods is subject to specific approval.

  10:00· 120 min
• Transfer · Milan → Lake Maggiore

  Take a private transfer to your hotel in Lake Maggiore.

  90 min

Explore one of Europe’s most celebrated botanical gardens during a guided visit of the magnificent Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens. Following the guided visit, enjoy a light lunch at Caffetteria Il Roseto, nestled within the beautiful grounds of Villa Pallavicino. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax by the lake, further explore Stresa at your own pace, or enjoy the many scenic viewpoints and photographic opportunities around Lake Maggiore.

• Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens Visit

  Discover the magnificent Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens on a guided visit. Created by Scottish captain Neil McEacharn in the 1930s, the gardens feature an extraordinary collection of plants from around the world, thoughtfully arranged across beautifully landscaped terraces overlooking Lake Maggiore. Late May and early June are among the most spectacular times to visit, with vibrant displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and countless seasonal blooms creating a stunning tapestry of colour throughout the gardens.

  · 120 min

Today you will take a boat to explore the island gardens. Start at Isola Madre, and continue to Isola Bella. After your tour, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

• Isola Bella and Isola Madre Guided Tour

  Board a roundtrip boat from Stresa and spend the day exploring two of Lake Maggiore's most remarkable island gardens. Begin at Isola Madre, renowned for its extraordinary botanical collection, where exotic and subtropical species thrive thanks to the lake's unique microclimate. Continue to Isola Bella, where elegant terraced gardens showcase a spectacular blend of formal design, flowering plants and panoramic lake views. Your combined entrance ticket includes both islands, and a local guide will lead you through the palaces and gardens, sharing insight into the history of the Borromeo family, the development of the estates and the outstanding botanical heritage of the islands.

  10:00· 330 min

Today you will head up above Lake Maggiore to explore the Alpinia Botanical Garden. Enjoy views across the Borromean Gulf, then enjoy an included lunch. Return to your hotel in the afternoon with the rest of the day at your leisure.

• Alpinia Botanical Garden visit

  Set high above Lake Maggiore, the Alpinia Botanical Garden offers a fascinating introduction to the flora of the Alps and other mountain regions of the world. During a guided visit, explore a rich collection of alpine and subalpine plant species while learning about their adaptations, ecological importance and conservation. Surrounded by breathtaking views across the Borromean Gulf and the surrounding peaks, the garden provides a unique opportunity to experience both botanical diversity and one of the most spectacular landscapes of Northern Italy.

  · 120 min

Today you will transfer to Val Grande National Park and enjoy a botanical focused walk to learn about the plant biodiversity. Then enjoy lunch at a mountain hut before returning in the afternoon with the rest of the day at your leisure.

• Val Grande National Park Botanical Walk

  Accompanied by a local GAE (Environmental Hiking Guide), explore the remarkable landscapes of Val Grande National Park, one of Europe's largest protected wilderness areas. This botanically focused walk offers an opportunity to discover the park's rich plant diversity, from woodland communities and alpine flora to the species that have adapted to this rugged mountain environment. Along the way, learn about local ecosystems, conservation efforts and the ecological relationships that shape this unique landscape.

  · 150 min
• Transfer to Val Grande National Park

  Take a private transfer to Val Grande National Park.

  60 min
• Return Transfer to Hotel

  Take a private return transfer back to your hotel.

  60 min

Today you will head to the neighboring lake, Lake Orta. Enroute, you will stop in Arona for botanical tea tasting experience, then continue to Lake Orta. Upon arrival you'll explore Villa Motta Garden. Afterwards, you'll have free time to explore the village of Orta San Giulio at your own pace. In the afternoon you'll return to your hotel with the evening at your leisure.

• Tea tasting at Sinensis

  Travel to Sinensis Tea Garden, located on the hills above Stresa, where tea cultivation thrives thanks to the area's unique microclimate. During this immersive experience, learn about the cultivation and production of Italian tea while exploring the plantation. Conclude your visit with a guided tea tasting, sampling a selection of locally grown teas and discovering their distinctive aromas and flavours in a beautiful lakeside setting

  · 120 min
• Villa Motta Guided Visit

  Continue to Lake Orta and enjoy a private visit to the enchanting Villa Motta Garden, a hidden botanical gem overlooking the lake. Open exclusively by reservation, this historic private estate is home to an outstanding collection of camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and other ornamental plants, set within beautifully landscaped grounds with spectacular views of the lake. The garden has been recognised by the International Camellia Society as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence. During the visit, discover the garden's remarkable plant collections, its year-round succession of blooms and the history of the estate, while enjoying a uniquely personal experience rarely available to the general public. Following the visit, enjoy free time to explore the charming village of Orta San Giulio at your own pace before returning to Stresa in the afternoon.

  · 150 min

Today you will say goodbye to Lake Maggiore. In the morning, depart your hotel and head to Burcina Nature Reserve for a guided Botanical Tour. After the tour, you'll continue your transfer back to Milan with the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening you'll enjoy one last meal together.

• Burcina Nature Reserve guided tour

  Explore the beautiful Burcina Nature Reserve, a historic landscaped park renowned for its woodland trails, panoramic viewpoints, and extensive collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and rare tree species. Accompanied by a local guide, enjoy a leisurely walk through this scenic natural oasis while learning about its botanical heritage, landscape design, and diverse flora.

  · 180 min
• Transfer to Burcina Nature Reserve

  Take a private transfer to Burcina Nature Reserve.

  90 min
• Transfer to Milan

  Take a private transfer to your hotel in Milan.

  90 min

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP).